"Nice Knits"!

Hands

I am one of those people who has great ideas, but is terrible with follow-through. I get plans set in my head, and then for one reason or another they just float out my ears. One of the ideas that has stuck around is that I should spend more time volunteering to help others. I always MEAN to do it, and I guess I do in a small way by donating items and money when I can. Today I had the opportunity to actually lend my time and my hands, which I found out is probably the best donation of all.

My company was one of many that took part in the "Day of Caring" sponsored by the United Way. A group of us were assigned to help out at Martha's Table. Martha's Table is a non-profit group that is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of low-income and homeless children, families, and individuals. They serve meals, sponsor after-school programs, and provide day care for children ages 3 months to 4 years. My group originally thought we would preparing and serving meals, but instead we were asked to help in the day care. I was in a room with 20 kids between the ages of 2 and 3 yrs old. There were only two teachers assigned to the room, and let me tell you, those people have nerves of steel. You could honestly see the energy vibrating off of the walls. The kids loved having visitors, and they were all over us in a flash. We read them stories, played with the toys, and in general just gave them much needed personal attention. A little girl named Leila stayed with me the whole day. I wiped her nose, read her books, and helped her recite all of the body parts. She did everything possible to keep my attention, including bursting into tears when someone else helped themselves to my lap. When it was time to go outside, I realized Leila was one of the ones who didn't have a coat. I'm not sure if it was just forgotten at home, or if she really didn't have one to bring. Luckily, her energy outside kept her warm. We had to leave around lunch time so they could eat and take a nap. I felt horrible for just swooping in, doing my duty, and then disappearing. But on the other hand, I guess giving those kids even a few hours of attention was better than none at all.  I probably won't ever know what happens to Leila....whether she will bring a coat tomorrow or not. I know she won't remember me, but hopefully for a short while I was able to make her feel special.

I decided on the ride home that I seriously need to start volunteering. Having great ideas is one thing, but it truly is the follow-through that counts. I am going to call Martha's Table tomorrow to offer my time. I realized today that every little bit helps, and I know my hands can make a difference.

My Girl

I asked the bean the other day what kind of job she wanted when she "got big." She told me "I am going to be a knitter so I can make a sweater for Mommy for winter. It is very cold in the winter."

That's my girl ;-)

Caution: Cables Crossing

I have always loved cabled sweaters. One reason I wanted to learn how to knit was so I could make myself a big, fat cabled sweater. Although once I started knitting, cables looked very scary to me. I was lucky I could keep my knitting in a nice consistent row without going and intentionally bending it all over the place. Everyone always told me that cables were "easy", but I was not convinced. I decided that I am now at a point in my knitting life where I should at least give cables a try. I figured the best thing to do would be to cut my teeth on something smaller than a sweater, so if I give up I won't feel so bad about buying $100 worth of yarn that will sit and jeer at me and my failure. I found the perfect cabled scarf in a knitting book I purchased at Barnes and Nobles for $5. And you know what....THEY ARE EASY! Until you drop a stitch. Do. Not. Drop. A. Stitch. I know that now. Cables are not really made for Metro knitting (the only place to put the cable needle is my mouth...not attractive), but they are definitely not as bad as I made them out to be.

My cable ambitions will hopefully lead me to this sweater...one that I really, really want to make. At least before I get to an age where people will look at me and say "geez, who is she trying to fool wearing that hip looking sweater." But hopefully they will also say "DAMN those cables look tight!"
 

Good Day

Yesterday was just one of those days where (most) everything went well. Bean started her dance classes at the rec center (every Sat. for 5 weeks). Now I am the type that likes to be prepared, so I did call a few days ago to find out what they needed to wear to class. The last thing I needed was for us to show up and have everyone be in "official" dance outfits. "Whatever is comfortable" was the answer I got from the teenager who works the desk at the rec center. Bean picked out her outfit (twirly skirt and Cinderella shirt), and we headed off to class. It was touch and go for a minute when the parents were ordered to leave the room, but she ended up having a blast. And, she hardly noticed that most of the kids had "official"  dance outfits. We scooted right out to Target after class to get a Tinkerbell dance outfit and tights. She actually thanked me three times over the course of the day for taking her to dance class. She then of course got pissed at me when I explained she wasn't going back today. I can't win ;-)

Every year around this time the entire cricket population of Northern Virginia holds their annual convention in our basement. They really don't hurt much, but they are terrible at cleaning up after themselves. I keep my stash in the basement in large plastic bins with tight lids, but I got nervous that a lone cricket or two would weasel their way in under a lid and poop all over my stash. So just to be on the safe side, I decided to put everything in plastic bags. The bean was more than happy to help; she sorted everything out and stuffed the bags. I now have four perfectly organized stash boxes. Yes, I have four of these suckers. God knows I will probably never get around to knitting up half of it. But looking at all that yarn goodness sure made me feel yarn rich. It also made me realize how easily tempted I am by good looking projects.

Someone had the great idea to surprise Daddy with some brownies. Although, I don't "really" think they were for Daddy.

Too Fabulous for Words

As I clicked over to the 6.5 st's blog, the most wonderful creature appeared. Her gorgeous kitty was made by Beth Doherty at GourmetAmigurumi. The details on these softies are just incredible! Here are some of her other gorgeous creations. I have always wanted to knit some stuffed animals, and seeing these have definitely given me some inspiration. Hopefully she will have more up for sale soon. I HAVE TO HAVE ONE! I think I like the little girls yelling. They remind me of a certain someone I know ;-)

Back in VA

I meant to get this post up days ago, but the week went by so fast and all of a sudden it's Sunday. We had a great time on our trip to NY. I just wished we could have stayed longer. Since most of our visits revolve around family events, they seem to go by so quick. We had a huge surprise in that my aunt and uncle from FL came up for the christening. They decided Thursday night to drive up, drove through the night, and arrived mid-day Friday. I haven't seen my aunt since the Breast Cancer Walk, and my uncle since February of 2004. They are planning a trip to our house next month, and my aunt promised to help the bean make her room into a "princess room." Me being the ogre that I am, I had to put the kabosh on repainting the room a "princess color."

Here's my nephew with his blanket:

He is so cute! Big blue eyes and big chubby cheeks. And he hardly ever complains. Everything a girl looks for in a man! He had that great baby smell. I think my husband and I sniffed him everytime we picked him up. You know the baby days are over when they start to lose that sweet smell. We always used to pretend the bean's feet were stinky when she was a baby and she thought it was so funny. Now when she asks you to smell them, they really do stink!  And we can't convince her that it really isn't funny anymore.

Hey, who invited the monkeys to the party!

(my nephews and the bean...talk about a LOUD group!)

"C" is for Christian

FO: Baby Blanket

Pattern: Personalized Baby Blanket from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - color "Candy Blue" 
Fiber: 100% Cotton
Amount: 4 skeins
Needles: US #7, Addi Turbos

I am pretty sure my sister will not be looking at my blog between now and Sunday, so I figured I would get this post up before we leave for the weekend. This is a blanket I made for my nephew's christening, which is this Sunday in upstate NY. I am pretty O.K. with how it came out. I only wish I could have gotten the stitching tighter around the edges of the letter. They look a little loose in some spots. But, I am proud that the few math skills I have enabled me to get the letter perfectly centered. I gave it a spin in the washer and dryer, and I think it will hold up well to repeated washings (one reason I used the Cotton Ease). God, it took FOREVER to dry! I must have run it in the dryer for over an hour. That is a long time for a kid to wait for their beanie to be done (we call blankets "beanies" here at my house)! I hope he loves it so much that it falls apart. I plan to offer my mending services well into his college years.